The Book Diggers

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Tuesday 19 April 2011

Review: All That Is Bitter & Sweet: A Memoir - Ashley Judd

Ashley Judd's perspective on herself - and her famous family, April 5, 2011
By 
K. Corn "reviewer" (midwest, United States)


All That Is Bitter And Sweet: Memoir - Ashley Judd
This is not the first time where Ashley Judd has provided revelations about her early life as well as her difficult road towards independence and individuality.

But this time she has provided additional details, the kind of details that could provide hope and inspiration for others who have suffered difficult and extremely painful bouts of anxiety, depression and/or a lack of passion for work.

Perhaps Judd's greatest courage comes in chronicling the various sexual abuses she endured. As of this writing, her family is reportedly (according to media coverage) unhappy with Ashley's revelations.

But breaking the silence surrounding childhood sexual abuse is an act of courage and every celeb and other person who doesn't flinch or waver from the hard truth can help others cope as well. Even more admirable? Judd transcended her own personal pain to reach out for social justice instead of remaining mired in depression and fear - and instead of feeling powerless for the rest of her life.

Hard for adults to understand, perhaps, but Judd makes clear that children don't automatically understand that sexual predators are being "abusive." Instead, children can feel a range of emotions, from confusion to fear ...or even shame.
 
 
For anyone familiar with the press surrounding the Judd family, it is no secret that there have been tensions, even outright breaks in the family. Unlike Wynonna and Naomi Judd, famed as singers, Ashley opted to become primarily an actress - and then she seemed to fade from the spotlight. "All That is Bitter and Sweet" explains why this happened and how Ashley's feelings affected her decision to veer from acting.

Among other challenges, Judd struggled with depression and a loss of passion for her acting craft - even while she was still strongly in demand. But read about her early abuse and family struggles and it becomes clear that she worked hard to face her painful past and continuing struggles - instead of living in denial and finding it harder and harder to keep up a facade that hid so much.

By coming forward and writing about her own painful past, Judd provides hope for others who have suffered neglect, abuse, depression, and other potentially crippling problems. Judd also reveals her own methods for finding peace, including work with others who need help.She connects intimately with those who have HIV/AIDS. She trys not to be a celeb who stays distant from those she helps. It is also clear that Judd finds solace and help from the people she meets along the way.

It must have been hard for someone like Ashley Judd to reveal so much about herself. Whenever I watched her in movies,I got the sense that she was a deeply private person and some of that reserve came through - and ironically,even strengthened the believability of the characters she played - on screen. But it is far different to play a movie role than it is to strip away the celeb facade and write such an open memoir. 

She has finally found peace within herself & declares her painful past as her greatest asset! On overall, this is a great emotional roller-coaster ride (bitter) memoir with a positive (sweet) that is candid/engaging, a highly recommended book/memoir reading. 

You can grab a copy here and here.

Review: Hitch-22 by Christopher Hitchens

Hitch-22 by Christopher Hitchens

Over the last thirty years, Christopher Hitchens has established himself as one of the world's most influential public intellectuals. His originality, bravery, range, and wit made him first a leading iconoclast of the political left and then, later in his career, a formidable advocate of secular liberalism. When the Twin Towers were attacked in September 2001, Hitchens was re-energised again, quickly emerging as one of the fiercest and most influential advocates of war on Iraq. In this long-awaited and candid memoir, Hitchens re-traces the footsteps of his life to date, from his childhood in Portsmouth, with his adoring, tragic mother and reserved Naval officer father; to his life in Washington DC, the base from which from he would launch fierce attacks on tyranny of all kinds. Along the way, he recalls the girls, boys and booze; the friendships and the feuds; the grand struggles and lost causes; and, the mistakes and misgivings that have characterized his life. "Hitch-22" is, by turns, moving and funny, charming and infuriating, enraging and inspiring. It is an indispensable companion to the life and thought of our pre-eminent political writer.

OUR THOUGHTS: Before reading this I knew Hitchens was a controversial figure - but I wasn't familiar with why (to be honest i thought he must have been a wealthy brattishtory - I'm glad i was wrong (although wealthy stories also write good books)).

As a 39-year-old comprehensive school-educated middle-manager, this very readable book took me on a fabulous trip of what happened to someone who was in the right place at the right time (i think i read recently that people born in 1949 had the best of all worlds). Hitchens has experienced at first hand some of the more fundamental developments in human history of the last 40 years. He writes about his experiences with genuine warmth, insight and honesty without pretentiousness. It's the most enjoyable book I've read in a while - and having just finished it I feel more connected to some of the big issues being played out in the world and I'm motivated to read more deeply & widely.




Saturday 16 April 2011

Review: Bossypants Tina Fey

Good read! April 5, 2011
By Alan Mazer 

Bossy Pants, By Tina Fey

I enjoy a good memoir. It seems there's always something good to learn from other people's life experiences. And while I'm not a huge Tina Fey fan, I enjoyed her as Sarah Palin on SNL and occasionally watch 30 Rock. So after reading a review of the book, and being without anything to read at the moment, I took a chance and bought Bossypants, and I'm glad I did.

It seemed a little uneven starting out, but quickly transitioned into some very interesting pieces about her early jobs, her work with Second City, and then her transition into writing for SNL and her eventual creation of 30 Rock. Interspersed are stories about growing up and dating, her eventual marriage, and her struggles to balance work and family life, as well as some candid advice for other women on how to make it in a male-dominated industry.

Perhaps what I liked most about the book is that even though there is a lot of self-deprecating (and distancing) humor, my sense in the end was that Fey gave us an honest look at who she is: imperfect, stumbling, but always rising again, persevering, and continuing to do what she loves. I would say the book is well worth reading for any fan of Tina Fey, 30 Rock, or SNL, as well as for any woman who struggles to balance the roles of worker, spouse and mom. It was a good read!

Review: The 17 Day Diet: A Doctor's Plan Designed for Rapid Results


10 pounds in the first 8 days!, January 11, 2011
By Chevypower
Well the book promises three things.

1. I won't get sick of this diet. (I'm certainly not) - though I admit at times I want chocolate or ice-cream or something, but the author promises by stage 4, I can have some of my treats again on occasion.
2. I won't be left hungry. (this is very true)
3. I will lose 1-2 pounds a day immediately: very true, and I will elaborate.

I'm a 5'8'' male, age 31. The last couple of years I crept up over the 200 lb mark, and I really feel I should be around 160. I weighed in at the doctors office two weeks ago at 212lb! The book had arrived, we (my wife and I) were just going to enjoy Christmas and New Years Eve without being on the diet.
I have weighed myself every day (except the first day) of the diet, at the same time, before breakfast for consistent results.
Day 2, I weighed in at 204-point-something. I feel it is right for me to assume I was AT LEAST 206 on day one - though I wish I had weighed in for accuracy.
I am writing this at work, and my results are at home, but every day showed a weight loss, most days were at least one pound. There were two days of just under a pound.
Today is Day 8, and I weighed in at 196.4.
The book instructs to do 17 minutes of walking per day (or the workout video). We have missed about 3 days of doing this - and still got good results. I'm sure they would be better if I did it every day. But the fact is, 50% of those people at the gym right now going every day, won't even be there in February! I also haven't tried green tea as was strongly suggested in the book.

Look, the book works - anyone who says it's a scam hasn't even bought the book, let alone tried to follow the instructions in it. Probably looking for an excuse to keep drinking 44oz sodas, and eat fast food every day. Tell yourself it's a scam so you don't feel so bad about not dieting. Maybe they are trying to sell their own diet plan and jealous this one is getting so much attention- either way, if you are serious about losing weight, and keeping it down with a long term strategy, starting right now, this book is for you. If you are looking for dramatic results immediately, maybe do the HCG diet for a month and then move on to this one straight away. 

The 17 Day Diet is a simple plan that gets big, long-lasting results if you stick with it and let Dr. Mike help you along the way. Whether this is your first attempt at dieting or your fiftieth, you must believe that you can do this. What matters now is focusing on your goals, identifying what you need to get there, and taking action to begin the process. Your health and happiness are important, so stand strong, believe in yourself, and let your 17 Day Diet begin now!
...

Wednesday 13 April 2011

One of the best books I've read this year...


Water For Elephants - Sara Gruen
Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen: A Book Review

Although it is only April, I predict that Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen will be one of the best books I read this year. Gruen has proven to be an amazing storyteller.

Water for Elephants is told in the first person but from two different perspectives--Jacob Jankowski at 23 years of age and again, at 93 years old. Gruen seamlessly weaves the chapters between past and present. Jacob at 23 is finishing up his last semester at Cornell Veterinary School when a family tragedy causes him to flee. He finds himself on a train for the Benzini Brothers Most Spectacular Show on Earth in 1931. Needing a vet, the circus hires young Jacob to tend to their menagerie. Jacob at 93 resides in a nursing home where he laments the curses of old age, the passing of his wife, and the waning affection of his family. The arrival of a visiting circus triggers a flashback to his youthful circus experiences.

1931 is a hard time for almost all Americans, and the circus workers are as hard hit as any. Most are one step away from being homeless and jobless. Conditions on the circus train are harsh for most. Many workers go weeks without being paid, and they tend to disappear during the night when times are tough (management has them thrown off the train). The menagerie is often times treated better than the workers. But the circus does provide three meals a day and a place to sleep--even it if might mean a horse blanket on a train bed floor. Jacob discovers very quickly that he's just about the only advocate the animals have and he must battle a ruthless owner (Uncle Al) and a crazy animal trainer (August).

Any circus has more than their fair share of interesting characters, and Gruen's circus is no exception. In addition to Uncle Al and August, there is Walter (the midget clown), Marlena (an equestrian with whom Jacob falls in love), and Grady and Camel (workers). One of the most sympathetic characters in Water for Elephants is Rosie, the elephant--who shares more "human" characteristics and feelings than some of the circus bosses. The tender-hearted Jacob quickly grows to manhood as he is forced to protect both animals and coworkers from abuse and worse.

Water for Elephants is a delightful, moving book, and the ending was a very pleasant surprise. Also, if you want a special treat, listen to it on audiobook. The two readers, David LeDoux and John Randolph Jones, did a wonderful job of bringing both Jacobs (young and old) to life. 

You can grab yourself a copy at Amazon.com and Book Depository.

Love to hear your comments, so feel free leave them below in the box. Thanks.